Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29830, John W W Godbold, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Godbold, John W.W.
S 29.8 30
CONTENTS

32. 828
WAS MACHUSETTS
John W. W. Godbold late of Gloucester in the State of Mass who was a Clerk of Commissary in the by Captain of Packer of the Mass by in the Revolution for 13 Months and 18 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 26 0 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Curry 2 d September 1842
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of March 1850 and sent to J. M. Thayer
Annuity to the 4th of Pension and allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By H. A. Wright Clerk, Book E. Vol. 2 Page 30

Sir
As all Plead for Pensionary Allowances, are said to centre in your Department: you will have the Goodness to permit me, among others, to recite my Service to the United States, fifty two years after it was performed: and, to ask your patient Indulgence to read the following Statement.
During the bitter contest between Great Britain and her Colonies: Abraham Skinner, Esq. was appointed Commissary General of Prisoners, for the United States, with the Privileges of appointing his Deputies: he appointed John Hopkins, Esq. of this Town, his Deputy for Massachusetts, to reside at the Military Post of Boston: as the Department was entirely Military, Colonel Skinner, had the rank of Colonel: all his Deputies, that of Majors: and, all their Clerks, that of Captains in the Army: the Pay and Emoluments, to be, as was usual, at that time, for Officers of similar Ranks, in the marching Regiments: indeed the Resolves of 24 July

Emoluments, to be, as was usual, at that time, for Officers of General Ranks, in the marching Regiments: indeed the Resolves of 24 July 1782, by which our Department was new modelled, in all its Sections constantly refers to Rank in the Army: such was the Etiquette of our Department, as explained to me by my Principal, when I was called into the Public Service, and, such it was in the British Army, then serving in America.
On the second of May 1782, Major Hopkins called me into the Public Service, as Clerk to his Department: that Duty I continued to perform until August, when my Principal was informed by Colonel Thomas Mifflin, then Assistant Secretary of the Depart- ment of War, that our Department was reformed: and, that it was necessary for him, as Deputy Commissary General, to be furnished with a copy of that Resolve of Congress, by which the change had been effected: Pursuant to this Notice, I was ordered to wait on Colonel Mifflin, and obtain a copy of the Resolve, which was performed.
On the twenty fourth of July 1782, Congress resolved, that "the Reso- lutions and Appointments respecting the Department of Commissary General of Prisoners, should cease and determine: that Resolution Honourable Lewis Cass, Esquire

changed the Term of our Department, and increased the Duty of it: For the Secretary of the Department of War, was authorized to to require of all the former Deputies, Returns to be made once in three months, or oftener: to the Commander in Chief of all Military Prisoners: and, to the Agent of Prisoners, of all Naval Prison- ers, which should be under their several Charges: as the Term , so the Name of our Department was changed, from that of Deputy Commissary General, to that of Intendant of Prisoners.
In September following, my Principal received a Commission from Benjamin Lincoln Esq. then Secretary of the Department of War, dated the fourth of that month, appointing him, Intendant of Prisoners for Massachusetts: I had performed all the Duties of my Station from the second of May until the fourth of September, and prepared to leave the Service: he requested me to continue with him as usual: to this I acceded, and continued to perform the Duty of Clerk, until the twentieth of June 1783: at which time my Principal was ordered to go to New-York, then occupied by the British Army, and take with him all the Prisoners in our custody,

The 2 nd of July 1782, my Principal was ordered to go to New-York, then occupied by the British Army, and take with him all the Prisoners in our custody, to be delivered to David Sproat, Esq. the British Commissary General of Prisoners: pursuant to the Seventh Article of the Preliminary Treaty of Peace made at Paris on the thirtieth of November 1782: the Transportation of these Prisoners, was the last Official Act of our Department.
In the year 1784, my Principal was ordered to Philadelphia, to settle the Accounts of his Department, as Deputy Commissary and Intendant of Prisoners, with Robert Morris, Esq. at that time Financier of the United States: his Accounts were presented, and, although the Items of charge were predicated in the concluding section of the Resolves of twenty fourth July 1782, which declares, "That every Person employed in superintending and safe-keeping Prisoners of War, shall be allowed Forty Dollars a Month, and four Rations a Day, including what may be allowed them as Officers of the Army," yet the Financier objected to the Items of charge for First and Master of the Prisonership, but passed all Others, and made a partial payment on his Account of 1346 Dollars: and further, counselled him's address long resp, then in Session, for Redress: assuring him, that every Request he made, would be granted.

Pursuant to this Advice, on the fourth December 1784, my Principal stated all the Items marked as Objectionable by the Financiers, in a Letter to Congress, and requested an Allowance of them: that Body appointed a Committee, to consider and report on his Application: a Report was made, and, on the eleventh February 1785 accepted: and, the Comptroller of the Treasury ordered to pass to my Principal, Credit, all Items, checked by the Financiers, at the first presentment of his Accounts: the Order was carried into Effect, by a Draft from the Board of Treasury, by Samuel Osgood and Walter Livingston, Esqrs, their first and second Commissioners thereof, in favour of my Principal, on Nathaniel Appleton, Esq. Treasurer of Loans, for Massachusetts: the Treasury Draft was honoured by the Loan Officer, but I was defrauded, by my Principal, of four hundred Dol. of my Account.
Here perhaps I ought to stop, as I think I have satisfied only sup- ported my Claim to a share of Public Favour, in common with other Applicants: but, unknown as I shall ever be to you, and important as it now must be, I ask your Indulgence to state another

Sorted my claim to a share of Public Savings, and important Applicants: but, unknown as I shall ever be to you, and important as your Official hours must be: I ask your Indulgence to give another Instance of Injury.
From the second of March, to the fourth of September 1782, there elapsed a period of 125 Days: for each of these days, I was intitled to three Rations, making 375: from and after the fourth of September '82, to the twentieth of June '83, there was also a period of 289 Days: for each of these, by the Rules, I was intitled to four Rations, making 1156. neither part of this Subsistence was ever received by me: yet, if my Principal had been capable of serious Attention, and if some Interest had ever impressed his Mind, it would have been otherwise: because, his own Rations were duly received from the Contractor of the Post, every month: but my Principal was a very gay Man, and, as Attention to my Interest, would have militated with his gay Pursuits, perhaps it was reasonable for me to expect it: the loss of my Subsistence was the Effect of Neglect: the loss of my Pay, was the Effect of cool deliberate Design. My Statement has extended even to Prolixity: this gives me pain, because it's Intrusion on your time: yet I considered, that Explicitness on my part, would prevent Complexity on yours, when you are called

Officially to decide, with your usual address, whether the Plea now offered for your consideration, is, or is not admissible.
To obtain an Allowance from the Government, would be desirable: to obtain the Allowance by your benevolent Agency, would make it yet more desirable; because, such an Allowance would stress of powers on that part of my path to the Grave, which yet remains untraveled; and, because, such an Allowance would afford means to prepare for that solemn Event, which to never closes all worldly Hopes and Fears, with Comfort and with Peace.
with Sentiments of Esteem,
I have the Honour to be,
26 February 1834
Sir, respectfully yours
John W. W. Godbold.
Resident at N o 8 on Tilstone Street, in the rear of the North School House: Boston.

Declaration
State of Massachusetts County of Suffolk } ss
On this first day of January 1854, before the Judicial Supreme Court of said State now holden at Boston, in and for said county, personally appeared Gustavus A. Godbold and made oath in due form of law that his father, the late John M. M. Godbold was an officer in the Revolutionary war, that he served upwards of a year attached to the Dept. Commissary General, John Hopkins stationed in Boston, as he has understood and believes, — that his father made application several years ago for a pension but did not succeed in obtaining it, — that he died on the 2 d day of September (1842) eighteen hundred and forty two, — that his widow has since deceased, — that Horatio N. Godbold, Mary Ann B. Whipple, Sarah A. Robinson, Henry St. John Godbold and Gustavus A. Godbold are the only children of the said John M. M. Godbold now surviving him, — that he, the deponent makes this declaration in behalf of

himself and the other children in order to obtain any means of pension that may be found due in the case of their late Father the said G. M. Godbold,
Sworn to and Subscribed before } Gustavus A. Godbold. the Court aforesaid !
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court, this first day of Janua- ary A.D. 1857.
Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk of said Supreme Judicial Court.

Geo. W. R. Godbold
insp. Y to June 22,
Mas.

J. W. W. Goddard
31. Oct 17
30. Oct 17
Almaunt
Commissioner of Pensions.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John W. Goddard.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     From 21 May 1782, To 20 June 1783. 1 1 18 Clerk to the Dept. of Commissary General & Steward of Bank as Captain. John Hopkins, Esquire Deputy Commissary General and Intendant of Prisoners. Rank as a Major. 23 years 9 months, this day: 10 April '34. Boston. The Paper marked C.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his.

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Godbold, John W.W. Mass S 29830

These are to Certify, that by an Official Statement of the Account of John Hopkins late Deputy Commissioner and Intendant of Prisoners of War in Massachusetts, it appears that he was allowed for the pay of John Wm Wair Godbold as Clerk, from the 2 d of May 1782 to the 20 th of June 1783 the sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds 7/8 Lawful money, which sum was included in an Order drawn by the Board of Treasury in favor said Hopkins, on Nathaniel Appleton Loan Officer for said State. Treasury of the United States, Comptrollers Office February 6 th 1786. W. Milligan of the Treas.

Resolve of Congress passed 24 July 1782 respecting the Prisoners Departments. —

By the United States in Congress
July 24, 1782
Resolved.
That all resolutions, & appointments respecting the department of Country General of Pris. o be, & they are hereby repealed.
Resolved. That the Com. r in Chief be, & hereby is empowered, to appoint from time, to time, a Country of Pris. o who shall be subject to his orders, & Instructions.—
That the Comg d Officer of the Southern Army have also power to appoint from time, to time, a Country of Pris. o who shall be subject to his orders & Instructions.—
That the power of negotiating the Exchange of marine prisoners, be henceforth vested in the Agent of Marine, who is hereby authorized to appoint a Country for Marine Pris. o to be subject to his orders & Instructions.—
That the Sec y at War be, & he is hereby authorized, from time to time to appoint so many Persons as he may find necessary to attend him in superintending, & safe keeping all Pris. o of War, reporting such appointments to Congress as soon as they shall be made.
That the Sec y at War direct returns to be made once in every three months, or oftener if applied for, to the Commander in chief, of all Land Pris. o & to the Agent of Marine, of all Marine Pris. o who shall be under his charge.—
That the pay of the Countries for the Army, shall be seventyfive Doll rs per M o . each, & they shall be each be allowed two rat. s of Prov. s per day, & 12 cents & 3/4 of a Dollar per M o subsistence, & also six Dollars, & two thirds of a dollar per M o each

for a servant, for whom they shall draw from the Public — the Clothing, grat t allowed to a private Soldier; together with forage for for two horses each; which pay allow- ances, shall include what they may be intitled to from the Public as Officers in the Army.
That the Com y to be appointed by the Gen l & Marine, shall receive in full for his services including any pay, or allowances that he may be intitled to as an Officer of the United States, the sum of Twelve hundred dollars per Annum —
That the allowance of pay, grat t ions to the Persons appointed by the Sec y at War, to assist him in superintending, & safe keeping prisoners of War, shall not exceed forty Dollars per M t of four Rations per day, or subsis- tance equivalent, including what they may be intitled to as Officers of the Army.
Extract from the Minutes,
Gen l Thompson Sec y ,

Godbold, John W.W. Mass S 29830

By the United States in Congress assembled 11 th Feb y 185.
B.
On the report of a Committee to whom was refered a letter of 24 th Dec 184 from John Hopkins praying an al- lowance of sundry charges objected to by the Comptroller in the settlement of his Accounts.
Resolved, that the Comptroller in settling the accounts of Major Hopkins be directed to pass to his Credit all such necessary sums of money, as may appear to have been Disbursed by him in the hire of a Clerk, & Master of the prison ship, while ac- ting as Deputy commissary & Intendant of prisoners.
Resolved, that the Comptroller be directed in settling the accounts of Major Hopkins to al- low such travelling charges as were necessarily incurred in the execution of his Office —
Chas Thomson Clerk

29 to 30 Rev INVALID.
File No. 99,830
John W. Godbold Clk. Union Comm. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 158
[Arrangement of 1870.]
June 11-1900 Miss A. Godbold Boston Mass

Recd 6 June 1844 John W. Foster
James Lewis Edwards, Esquire: Commissioner of Pensions: Department of War: Washington.

J. W. W. Godbold of Massachusetts 30. 364
Rejected vide letter to claimant April 19. 1834 -
Let to Claimant June 9. 1834 — do. to Hon. W. K. Bond. H. R. Jan. 8. 1838. do to Hon. A. C. H. and W. R. Feb 3. 1840 Let J. M. Thayer March 6/57.
Massachusetts 

J. W. W. Gookins Rd Mass.
Oct 7 - June, 1852-
da? 13 m 18 d
Clare of Condy of Pines
$260.50 per ann
from 4 th Mar 1851 to
2 nd Sept. 1842, when
he died.
Payable to Horatio St. Gookins, Mass J. B. Whipple, Supt A. Robinson, Henry St. John Gookins & Guzann A. Gookins his only surviving chil- dren.
Cash sent to J. M. Thayer Present

156. 7. 8  2 1/2 312  78 239  195.50 
J. M. M. Godbold To June 1832 Susp. Mark.
Mr Bacc
 156. 78  2 1/2 156  39 195-  97.50 
13 new 18 d

Boston Mass. Dec 17/30
To the commissioners of Pensions Sir,
As one of the children of the late J. M. Goddard of Mass. I desire that you allow J. M. Shayer of Washington City to examine the papers and bill in your office relating to the case of my Father,
C. A. Goddard.
John M. M. Goddard 7 th June 1832,

1707 Broadway St. New York City June 2nd 1900
June 2nd 1900
Dear Sir:
Enclosed find my pension application which I hope will be approved. I have been thinking of you and your kind words to me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me.
I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me.
I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me. I am sure you will be successful in getting it for me.
Yours truly,
John Brown Honorably Commissioner of Pensions
John Brown, Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.

150 Trenton Street, East Boston, Massachusetts.
Honorable Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My Dear Sir:
I am interested in looking up the Revolutionary War record of one John William Ware Godbold but can find nothing in the public records in the state archives at Boston. I believe that his heirs (his children) received a pension (rank of captain) in a lump sum a long time after his death, probably somewhere in the early eighteen hundred and fifties. Of course, if he were not in the Revolutionary War I suppose his heirs would not have been entitled to this pension.
I shall be greatly obliged if you will kindly inform me whether or not it is possible to obtain a certified copy of that portion of the pension application which relates to this soldier's war record.
Respectfully yours,
(Niece) A. Godbold
May 31, 1900.
John William Ware Godbold, born July 10, 1760, died September 3, 1844.

State of Massachusetts } County of Suffolk } ff
certificate
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been adduced before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts in and for the county of Suffolk to show, that John M. M. Goddard late of Charlestown in the county of Middlesex in said State, died at said Charlestown on the 2 d day of September eighteen hundred and forty two, — that his widow has since deceased, — that Horatio N. Goddard, Mary Ann B. Whipple, Sarah J. Robinson, Henry St. John Goddard and Gustavus A. Goddard are the only surviving children of the said John M. M. Goddard now surviving him.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this second day of January A.D. eighteen hundred & fifty one.
Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk of said Supreme Judicial Court.

Sir
Your Favour of the 19th ultimo, came just to hand, on the 6th current. Your prompt Decision in my case, has excited the most grateful Sentiments in my Mind; because, it has prevented Expectation: which it seems cannot be realized.
On the second page of the printed paper, which you obligingly sent me; I noticed a Sentence which really engaged my Attention: it was, that the Statute of Anne 32 nd , had been construed to extend to every Branch of the Staff : and, as I was an Individual in the Military Branch of the General Staff of the old "Continental Line": I was induced to wish that the Construction would be so broad as to include me : your Opinion, however, has set that Affair at rest.
In my Address to you on the 10th ultimo; I requested, as a special Favour, the Return of the Papers marked A.B.C.: if they failed to be convincing and satisfactory to the Motion for their Return, then assigned; I now add another: it is, a wish to preserve those three Papers in my Family: to inform my Descendants, that I was an Actor, in those Scorching, Spirit kindling, troublous times: which ended in the Independence of the British Colonies.
If the Return of those three Papers does not militate with any Regulation of your Department; you will grant me the Favour: if it does, you will have the goodness to inform me, when you shall have Inclination and Leisure.
One Favour I have yet to ask; it is, that you will permit my Family to preserve these Papers in my Family; to be an Apology for the trouble I have occasioned.
31 Mar 1834
I am Sir, respectfully, yours
Hon. Mr. Edwards.
John W. Woodhull

Sir
Pursuant to your obliging Directions of the 25th ultimo, I now forward to your Department, such Testimonials of my Employment in the Public service, as I believe will be satisfactory.
The Paper marked A, was transcribed by me from Colonel Crafts's Original in the month of August 1782. The Paper marked B, was transcribed by me from Major Hopkins's Original, some time in the Spring of 1785. The Paper marked C, is important to me as it establishes two Points: One, the Nature and Length of my Service: the Other, the Amount paid for it, and by whom: this Paper is further valuable, as having been written by the Comptroller of the Treasury, and affording a genuine Specimen of his Mode of Writing. Such Sir is the Proof offered: and my Impression is, that it will never be in my power to procure other or further Proof: as, I think, those who knew me as a Public Officer, have almost or altogether, ceased to exist.
Before I close the present Communication, I have to solicit one Favour, it is this: if these Papers are not conclusive and satisfactory, to return them: having held them for fifty years, and considering them as Notices of Times and Events, forever Bygone. I feel some Attachment.
I am Sir,
Boston 10 April 1834. respectfully your most obedient
James Lewis Edwards, Esquire
John W. Woodbold